Gettysburg, Day 1
The battle of Gettysburg began as an accident. Two confederate brigades marched into the town of Gettysburg, now knowing that two Union brigades were already there. The confederate brigades had forced the Union soldiers to retreat back through the town. The Union army regrouped at nearby Cemetery Ridge. The Rebels were forced to retreat under a powerful volley from the Union cavalry.
Gettysburg, Day 2
The Confederate's attacked the Union forces on Cemetery Ridge with a two sided attack on the Union's position. The Union soldiers had the distinct advantage. The ridge that they were on had the high ground, with a ravine and a flat peach orchard. These places became piled with the dead Confederate soldiers. The Union General Meade had positioned most of his men on the left side of the line, to protect the weaker defensive position. But the Confederates, anticipating this, attacked the right side of the line. They collapsed the right side of the Union line, forcing them to retreat back to Big Round Top and Little Round Top.
Gettysburg, Day 3
The Confederate army began to advance on the Union positions. They had to march one mile of open farmland to get to the Union forces. The only problem was that the soldiers were ordered not to fire and not to unleash their rebel yell. The Union volleys, artillery, and canisters mowed through the Confederate army as they marched straight toward the Union forces. When they finally arrived at the Union defenses, there were so few soldiers that they were all captured and the Confederates were forced to surrender.
